What is R.C.I.A.?
R.C.I.A. is a journey of conversion comprised of four stages. It is a time to discern how
Jesus has worked in your life and to deepen and enrich your relationship with this loving God in Jesus
Christ through the Holy Spirit. We Catholics believe that conversion to Jesus Christ is a lifelong
process and R.C.I.A provides the opportunity to prayerfully come to know personally, Christ through the
Catholic Christian community, as together we learn to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, to continue His
mission in the world today.
For whom is R.C.I.A offered?
R.C.I.A. is for those adults, teens and children who would like to learn more about the
Catholic Christian Community. R.C.I.A. is for those who have not been baptized, as well as those who
have been baptized in other Christian communities. R.C.I.A. is for baptized Catholics who have not
completed the Sacraments of Initiation (Eucharist and Confirmation).
Four Stages of R.C.I.A
STAGE One: Inquiry
"What are you looking for?" (John 1:38)
Just as Jesus invited those who were following Him to come and see where He was staying, you
are invited to come and see. Come and see equates to an invitation to each person, whomever they are,
however they come and whatever they bring to explore. Explore his or her story, his or her identity
with the intention of meeting Christ as manifested in the community. Explore by asking questions of
the Catholic Christian community. Explore if the Spirit is leading you to a deeper participation in the
Catholic Community of St. Patrick. The inquiry period ends once an experience of initial conversion to
Jesus Christ; those invited celebrate the first major liturgical ritual. This is the Rite of
Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens when the candidate is publicly welcomed for the first time.
They "declare their intention to the Church and the Church in turn accepts them as persons who intend
to become its members" (R.C.I.A., no. 41).
Step Two: Catechumenate
"Come And See" (John 1:39)
Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens and the Period of Catechumenate. Some of
the inquires become firm in their desire for deeper conversion and initiation as well as decide that they
would like to begin more formal study of the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. They are
admitted into the next step through a special ceremony call the rite of Acceptance in the order of
Catechumens. In this ritual the Church symbolically claims these men and women for Christ by signing
them with the cross. "As they become familiar with the Christian way of life and are helped by
the example and support of sponsors, godparents, and the entire Christian community, the catechumens learn
to turn more readily to God in prayer, to bear witness to the faith, in all things to keep their hopes set
on Christ, to follow divine inspiration on their deeds, and to practice love of neighbor, even at the cost
of self-renunciation" (RCIA no. 75.2).
Step Three: Purification and Enlightenment
"And they followed Him to see where he was staying."
(John 1:38-39)
This final period of reflection is one of spiritual recollection. The candidates, now
called the elect, purify their minds and hearts by celebrating several Rituals. The three purifying,
known as the Scrutinies, strengthen the elect and help to complete their conversion by participating in
various forms of prayer. It is a time of final discernment, with the help of their sponsors and the
parish RCIA team, that God is calling them to receive the sacraments of initiation (Baptism or Profession
of Faith, Confirmation and Eucharist).
Step Four: Mystagogy
"And they stayed with Him." (John 1:39)
Mystagogia is about mission. The word comes from an ancient Greek word signifying a
deepening understanding of the mysteries of our faith. The newest members of the community continue to
gather each week to deepen their grasp of the great Easter mysteries. The new Catholic Christians, now
part of the body of Christ, must now go forth together with the entire Community of St. Patrick to continue
the mission of Jesus Christ, so like our patron, St. Patrick, we might be messengers of God's Word to the
people of South Tampa. |
